Department for Communities and Local Government

Private Property: Repairs and Maintenance

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will grant local authorities the power to insist that landlords or home owners maintain their properties to an acceptable standard where that condition is having a negative impact upon the local community.

Alok Sharma: Local authorities already have strong powers to tackle poor property conditions.We encourage local authorities to take action where properties are neglected and their condition adversely affects the amenity of an area. There are already extensive powers available to authorities which range from notices under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which can deal with derelict land and buildings to section 29 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 for works on unoccupied buildings.Council and housing association landlords are responsible for most repairs to their housing stock. Social landlords are obliged, by law, to maintain the structure and exterior of their properties.All properties in the social and private sectors must comply with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. Where a property has serious hazards that present a risk to health and safety, local authorities can carry out an assessment under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. If they are aware of a serious hazard, they are under a duty to take appropriate action to address it.

Letting Agents: Fees and Charges

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what criteria were used to select the location of letting agents' fees ban workshops.

Alok Sharma: The locations of the letting agent fee ban workshops were chosen to make the exercise as inclusive as possible to those interested in attending. Venues were selected based on availability, size and ease of access.

Building Regulations: Fires

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will publish any research or work commissioned in preparation for the revision of Approved Document B of the Building Regulations.

Alok Sharma: Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, we will need to consider the position on guidance further alongside the Prime Minister's commitment to look at wider issues.

Building Regulations: Fires

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2017 to Question 750, on building regulations: fires, if the Government will make an assessment of the merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require the retrofitting of automatic fire suppression systems in all residential premises.

Alok Sharma: Holding answer received on 17 July 2017



There has been a requirement in Building Regulations guidance since 2007 for new flats over 30 metres to have a sprinkler system. Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower the Prime Minister has committed to look at wider issues.

Department for Education

GCE A-level: Disadvantaged

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Social Mobility Commission's report: Time for Change: an assessment of government policies on social mobility 1997-2017, what steps her Department plans to take to reduce the attainment gap identified between disadvantaged young people and other students at A level or equivalent.

Anne Milton: The Government welcomes the Commission’s report, which considers efforts to improve social mobility over the last twenty years. The Commission rightly concludes that too often life chances can be determined not by effort and ability, but by where you come from, who your parents are and which school you attend.Educational achievement is at the heart of this Government’s commitment to make ours a meritocratic country. This is why we invested around £552m on disadvantaged learners aged 16-19 in 2016-17, on top of standard funding rates.The attainment gap between those eligible and those not eligible for Free School Meals at age 15 achieving level 3 by age 19 has decreased from 26.4% in 2005 to 24.5% in 2016, but we know there is more to do. The department is pursuing a range of policies aimed at benefiting disadvantaged learners. Improvements in the delivery of high-quality basic skills and careers advice benefit disadvantaged learners by ensuring they have the qualifications, support and experience needed to get on in life, and have access to clear advice on their options. Funding uplifts support apprentices from disadvantaged areas, care leavers and those with learning difficulties and disabilities.Traineeships, programmes combining pre-employment training, work experience and English and maths are available for young people aged 16-24 (and for young people with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan up to academic age 25) who are within six months of being ready to enter the labour market.Latest data shows that there were 24,100 traineeship starts in the 15/16 academic year (14,700 aged 16-18 and 9,400 aged 19-24). Supported internships can be life-changing opportunities for young people with a SEN statement or EHC plan aged 16-24 who need more help to move from education into employment.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Pay: Working Hours

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to respond to the recommendation in the Low Pay Commission Report 2015 that payslips of hourly-paid staff states the hours individuals are being paid for; and if he will make a statement.

Margot James: Holding answer received on 20 July 2017



  Following the Low Pay Commission’s recommendation, the Government is engaging with stakeholders to evaluate the proposal in detail, including how it is practically implemented. We will consider the recommendation in the light of this evidence and make a formal response to the Low Pay Commission in the Autumn.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

British Indian Ocean Territory: Minimum Wage

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on whether the base contractor or other employers on Diego Garcia are required to pay a legal minimum wage.

Sir Alan Duncan: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 26 July 2017.The correct answer should have been:

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Employment Ordinance No.7 of 1984 (as amended) covers various aspects of employment law in the Territory and is available in the House of Commons library. BIOT ordinances do not extend to the Territory. BIOT ordinances do not provide for a legal minimum wage and UK minimum wage legislation does not extend to the Territory. As base contractors on Diego Garcia are contracted directly by the United States, we do not hold information regarding employees and employment practice.

Sir Alan Duncan: The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Employment Ordinance No.7 of 1984 (as amended) covers various aspects of employment law in the Territory and is available in the House of Commons library. BIOT ordinances do not extend to the Territory. BIOT ordinances do not provide for a legal minimum wage and UK minimum wage legislation does not extend to the Territory. As base contractors on Diego Garcia are contracted directly by the United States, we do not hold information regarding employees and employment practice.